As part of its programme to introduce South African audiences to African artists and their creative work, the African Arts Institute (AFAI) will host two Kenyan writers – Billy Kahora and Phyllis Muthoni – during the coming week.
Phyllis Muthoni is the author ‘Lilac Uprising’ (2010) – a collection of her poetry. She has also contributed poems to platforms such Badilisha, Kwani? and the ‘Black Arts Quarterly’ magazine (Stanford University). Billy Kahora is the writer of the short story, Treadmill Love as well as the extended feature, The True Story of David Munyakei: Goldberg Whistle-Blower (2009) and the editor of Kenya Burning. Kahora is the managing editor of the Nairobi-based publishing agency, Kwani Trust.
Kahora and Muthoni will participate in the Franschhoek Literary Festival from 16-18 May. (Details of the programme are available at www.flf.org.za)
For those unable to attend the Franschhoek Literary Festival, AFAI will host a public conversation about contemporary African and Kenyan literature between Kahora and Christopher Ouma. Kenyan-born Ouma (PhD Wits) is currently lecturing on the African literatures and literatures of African Diaspora - with a particular interest in popular culture and the representation of childhood – at University of Cape Town. This free event will take place at 19:00 on Monday 19 May at Alliance Française (155 Loop Street, Cape Town).
On Tuesday 20 May, AFAI’s African Book Club will be launched with an intimate dinner in Newlands. Zukiswa Wanner who launches her new book this weekend and Billy Kahora will attend, and the conversation will be facilitated by John Maytham of Cape Talk. Costs are R320 per person, and attendance is limited to twenty participants. To book a place, contact Katleho Shoro at katleho@afai.org.za. Confirmed attendees will receive details of the location of the event.
AFAI will host a free screening of Nairobi Half Life (2012), an award-winning Kenyan film directed by David 'Tosh' Gitonga. Billy Kahora, who was the scriptwriting supervisor for the film, will give an introduction to the film and lead a Q&A session after the screening. Nairobi Half Life will be screened at the Labia Theatre (68 Orange Street Gardens, Cape Town) on Thursday, 22 May at 18:15.
To book a place, e-mail katleho@afai.org.za
For more information about the African Arts Institute, go to www.afai.org.za
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